In-plane keyboard illumination

ABSTRACT

A computer keyboard includes a plurality of keys arranged in a pattern contained within a plane, a webbed structure defining openings for each of the keys, an illumination source, and one or more light pipes positioned along the webbed structure and arranged to deliver light from the illumination source to the keys, wherein each of the keys is illuminated thereby. Although the keys have the appearance of being backlit similar to traditional illuminated keyboards, the illumination source is actually located along at least one side of and within the same plane as the pattern of keys, rather than beneath the keys. The keyboard can thus be made thinner in such arrangements where the illumination source does not need to be located beneath the keys.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to personal computing devices,and more particularly to illuminated keyboards for use with suchcomputing devices.

BACKGROUND

Keyboards are one of the most common and popular types of user inputdevices for personal computers and other similar devices. A typicalcomputer keyboard includes numerous keys that enable a user to enter avariety of information and inputs quickly, as well as various subsystemsdesigned to convert keystrokes to electronic signals and deliver suchsignals to an associated computer. Modern keyboards can also include anumber of extra features and improvements to facilitate userinteraction. One such feature that has been found to be useful for manyusers is the ability to illuminate the keyboard and/or various keysthereof, such as for typing in conditions of low light or darkness.

In many instances, keyboards can be illuminated from above by a speciallight in darkness or low light conditions. For example, some laptopcomputers come equipped with a dedicated LED or other light that islocated along the upper display frame, and that is directed towardlighting the keyboard when activated. In still other arrangements,illuminated keyboards can be equipped with a general backlightarrangement, with one or more illumination sources being located beneaththe various keys. Such keyboards can include, for example, a number ofLEDs spaced apart beneath the keys and arranged to distribute lightupwards between keys, with suitable spacing between the keys beingemployed to facilitate such a result.

While convenient, both of the foregoing types of keyboard illuminationdo have various drawbacks. In the case of lighting from above, suchlighting is subject to interfering objects, is often non-uniform, andcan be less aesthetically pleasing than backlighting for many users.Although backlighting can often be more aesthetically pleasing, sucharrangements typically require one or more illumination sources to belocated beneath the various keys. Although this may not be an issue insome cases, the addition of such light sources does increase thethickness of the keyboard to some degree. In various applications wherethin and sleek is desired, such as in newer laptop designs, for example,the addition of even a thin illumination backlighting layer to thecomputer keyboard can be somewhat detracting.

While many designs and techniques used with respect to illuminatedkeyboard assemblies have generally worked well in the past, there isalways a desire to provide further designs and techniques forilluminated keyboards. In particular, what is desired are improvedkeyboard assemblies that provide for an aesthetic backlighting typeillumination of the keyboard in low light conditions without sacrificingany thickness in the keyboard.

SUMMARY

It is an advantage of the present invention to provide a keyboard for apersonal computer, laptop, or other similar device, with such a keyboardbeing illuminated yet as thin as possible. This can be accomplished atleast in part through the use of alternative keyboard lightingarrangements that utilize illumination sources in the same plane as thekeyboard keys, with the light therefrom being delivered to illuminatethe keys by way of light pipes located within or alongside a webbedstructure that runs between the keys.

In some embodiments of the present invention, a keyboard includes aplurality of keys arranged in a pattern contained within a plane, awebbed structure surrounding the keys and defining openings for each ofthe keys, an illumination source located along at least one side of andwithin the same plane as the pattern of keys, and one or more lightpipes positioned along the webbed structure and arranged to deliverlight from the illumination source to the keys, wherein each of theplurality of keys is illuminated thereby. Each of the plurality of keyscan include a keycap and an actuating component, such that the key canbe depressed by a user.

In further embodiments of the present invention, a computing device caninclude an outer housing, a processor disposed within the outer housing,a display coupled to the processor and adapted to provide a displayoutput from the processor to a user, and a keyboard such as that whichis recited above. In some embodiments, the computing device can be alaptop computer.

In various detailed embodiments, which can include the full computingdevice or just the keyboard as recited above, the webbed structure canbe formed from metal, such as aluminum, while in other embodiments thewebbed structure can be formed from a light transmitting material, suchas acrylic. Thin fiber optic cables can serve to function as some or allof the light pipes. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the lightpipes can be embedded within the webbed structure, and in someembodiments, at least a portion of the light pipes can run alongside,atop or beneath the webbed structure. In various embodiments, one ormore light pipes can include a plurality of features that function todirect light within the keyboard. Such features can include, forexample, pyramids, bumps, surface roughness and paint worked within ordistributed on one or more surfaces of the light pipes. The illuminationsource can include, for example, one or more LEDs.

In various detailed embodiments, at least one of the keycaps includes alegend thereon, with the legend adapted to be backlit by light deliveredfrom one or more light pipes. Such legends can be, for example, singleletters, numerals, punctuation marks, function designations and thelike. In some embodiments, all of the keycaps can have such backlitlegends disposed thereupon. Various keycaps can include a top surfaceand one or more side walls extending downward therefrom to define ahollow inner region beneath the keycap, wherein the top surface and oneor more side walls are substantially opaque with the exception of thebacklit legend, and wherein at least one light pipe backlights thelegend by delivering light to shine therethrough. In some instances,light to backlight the legend is delivered beneath one of the side wallsinto the hollow inner region, while in other cases light to backlightthe legend is delivered through a transparent or translucent portionalong the bottom of a keycap sidewall into the hollow inner region. Insome embodiments, the keycap body is clear and receives the light fromthe in-plane illumination into the edge of the key, with the legend ontop of the clear key or imbedded within it.

In further detailed embodiments, the openings in the webbed structureare larger than the respective keys, such that gaps exist between thewebbed structure and the plurality of keys. In such embodiments, lightfrom one or more light pipes can be delivered upward through the gaps toilluminate the keyboard. In some embodiments where the webbed structureis formed from a light transmitting material, one or more of the lightpipes can be integrally formed within said light transmitting material.In such embodiments, an opaque layer can be situated atop the webbedstructure, such that the delivery of light to illuminate the keyboard ismore readily controlled. In some embodiments, the light pipes caninclude a plurality of primary light pipes situated between rows of keysand running lengthwise along the keyboard and a plurality of secondarylight pipes branching off from one or more of said plurality of primarylight pipes and running up and down between adjacent keys.

In still further embodiments of the present invention, various methodsof illuminating a keyboard are provided. Process steps can includearranging a light source along one or more sides of and within the sameplane as a plurality of keys arranged in a pattern, wherein each of saidplurality of keys includes a keycap and an actuating component,extending one or more light pipes from the light source and between atleast some of the plurality of keys, wherein such light pipes do not runbeneath any of the keys, delivering light from the light source throughthe light pipes to the keys, and illuminating the keys with thedelivered light. Various details of such methods can include one or moreof the features from any of the foregoing embodiments and in anycombination, as may be desired.

Other apparatuses, methods, features and advantages of the inventionwill be or will become apparent to one with skill in the art uponexamination of the following figures and detailed description. It isintended that all such additional systems, methods, features andadvantages be included within this description, be within the scope ofthe invention, and be protected by the accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The included drawings are for illustrative purposes and serve only toprovide examples of possible structures and arrangements for thedisclosed in-plane illuminated keyboard. These drawings in no way limitany changes in form and detail that may be made to the invention by oneskilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of theinvention.

FIG. 1 illustrates in front perspective view an exemplary laptopcomputer having a built-in keyboard according to one embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates in front perspective view the exemplary laptopcomputer of FIG. 1 with its keyboard being illuminated in a backlit typemanner according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates in top plan close up view a cutaway portion of thekeyboard from the exemplary laptop computer of FIG. 1 according to oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates in top plan view an exemplary illuminated keyboardaccording to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 illustrates in side cross-sectional view the keyboard from FIG. 4according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates in side cross-sectional view an exemplary keycapaccording to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7A illustrates in side cross-sectional view the exemplary keycap ofFIG. 6 installed into an illuminated keyboard according to oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7B illustrates in side cross-sectional view an alternativeexemplary keycap installed into an illuminated keyboard according to oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8A illustrates in exploded side cross-sectional view a partial thinkeyboard having a built-in backlighting system according to oneembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8B illustrates in side cross-sectional view the partial thinkeyboard of FIG. 8A as assembled with keycaps installed thereonaccording to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 provides a flowchart of an exemplary method of illuminating akeyboard according to one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Exemplary applications of apparatuses and methods according to thepresent invention are described in this section. These examples arebeing provided solely to add context and aid in the understanding of theinvention. It will thus be apparent to one skilled in the art that thepresent invention may be practiced without some or all of these specificdetails. In other instances, well known process steps have not beendescribed in detail in order to avoid unnecessarily obscuring thepresent invention. Other applications are possible, such that thefollowing examples should not be taken as limiting.

In the following detailed description, references are made to theaccompanying drawings, which form a part of the description and in whichare shown, by way of illustration, specific embodiments of the presentinvention. Although these embodiments are described in sufficient detailto enable one skilled in the art to practice the invention, it isunderstood that these examples are not limiting; such that otherembodiments may be used, and changes may be made without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the invention.

The present invention generally relates in various embodiments to anilluminated keyboard that can be used as an input device for a personalcomputer, such as a laptop computer. Such an illuminated keyboardgenerally includes a built-in illumination source that is located withinthe same plane as the pattern defined by the keyboard keys, with lightbeing delivered from the illumination source to the keys by way of oneor more light pipes. Although the following specific embodiments havebeen described with respect to keyboards integrated with laptopcomputers, it will be readily appreciated that the keyboard illuminationassemblies and techniques disclosed herein can be utilized onstand-alone keyboards for personal computers. Alternatively, thekeyboard illumination assemblies and techniques disclosed herein canalso be used with other computing and electronic devices that utilizekeyboard assemblies, such as PDAs, cellular telephones, media playersand the like, as well as automotive, medical, and various other devices.Further alternative embodiments will be readily appreciated by thoseskilled in the art.

The present invention is adapted to illuminate the keyboard by providinglighting in the same plane as the keyboard keys to result in a backliteffect on the keys. In particular, such light can be delivered via awebbed structure that surrounds each key but is not part of the keycapsor keys itself. One or more light pipes are positioned alongside orwithin the webbed structure, and can actually replace part of the webmaterial. The light pipes can span up and down between keys and/or fromleft to right below each row of keys. Each light pipe ends at anillumination source along a side of the pattern of keys, such as an LED.Each light pipe has features, such as pyramids, bumps, surface roughnessand/or paint, which direct or extract the light from the light pipe atvarious locations. Each light pipe can be placed closer to the user thanthe row of keys that it lights, so the lighting is directed away fromthe user.

Referring first to FIG. 1, an exemplary laptop computer having abuilt-in keyboard is shown in front perspective view. Laptop computer100 can include an upper housing 101, bottom housing 102, display 103,optical disc drive 104, touchpad 105, keyboard 110, and one or moreinternal processors (not shown), among various other components.Keyboard 110 can include an upper plate or webbed structure 112surrounding a plurality of individual keys 120 that generally arrangedin a pattern, with the pattern of keys all residing within the sameplane 111. An illumination source 130 having one or more light pipes 132extending therefrom can be situated within or alongside the webbedstructure 112, with the illumination source and light pipe(s) alsoresiding within plane 111.

In various embodiments, the webbed structure 112 can be composed ofaluminum or any other metal or suitable material, and can have variousopenings therethrough to accommodate keycaps for each of the keys. Thatis, the openings in the webbed structure can be larger than therespective keys, such that gaps exist between the webbed structure andthe plurality of keys. Such gaps can result in light from one or morelight pipes being delivered upward therethrough to illuminate directlythe various keys and/or their perimeters, which can aid in locating thekeys when there are multiple legends per key, for example

Continuing with FIG. 2 the exemplary laptop computer of FIG. 1 is shownin front perspective view with its keyboard being illuminated in abacklit type manner according to one embodiment of the presentinvention. As shown, the keyboard 110 of laptop computer 100 has lightemanating from beneath and/or between its keys. This light can actuallybe delivered by way of one or more light pipes running between the keys,such as by being embedded in the webbed structure between the keys. Thiscan give the appearance of a backlit keyboard without the need for anactual backlight underneath the keys. Of course, the use of an actualbacklight under the keys requires a thicker keyboard; thus, not needinga backlight thereunder results in a thinner keyboard. In addition tolight coming out from between the keys, some light can be directedunderneath one or more keycaps to illuminate various legends on the topsurfaces of the keys in a backlighting type manner.

FIG. 3 illustrates in top plan close up view a cutaway portion of thekeyboard from the exemplary laptop computer of FIG. 1 according to oneembodiment of the present invention. Illuminated keyboard 110 can have aplurality of keys 120, with one or more keys having a legend 122thereon. Such legends can be, for example, letters, numbers, symbols,functions, directions and the like, among other possibilities, as willbe readily appreciated. The various keys 120 can be spaced apart in apattern and surrounded individually and collectively by a webbedstructure 112, such that gaps 114 are formed between the keys and webbedstructure. These gaps 114 can serve to allow the upward escape of lightdelivered by light pipes so as to illuminate the keys thereby.

One or more primary light pipes 132 can run laterally from side to sidealong the keyboard. In some embodiments, a light pipe can extend betweeneach row of keys. Each primary light pipe 132 can extend from anillumination source, which can be located to one side of the pattern ofkeys. In addition, one or more secondary light pipes 134 can be arrangedto branch off from a primary light pipe 132, such that light can bedirected and delivered in further directions throughout the keyboard.Although only one secondary light pipe is shown for purposes ofsimplicity in illustration, it will be readily appreciated that suchsecondary light pipes 134 can extend in a similar manner between some orall of the keys. Alternatively, such secondary light pipes can extendbetween every other pair of keys, and can be adapted to shine light inmultiple directions. In some embodiments, such secondary light pipesmight not be used.

Turning next to FIG. 4, an exemplary illuminated keyboard is illustratedin top plan view. Illuminated keyboard 110 can be situated above a trackpad 105, for example, and can include a plurality of keys arranged in apattern, with such a pattern including a number of rows. Although 5 rowsof keys are shown, it will be readily appreciated that more or fewerrows of keys may be used. A light or illumination source 130 is locatedbeneath, alongside or embedded within a webbed structure, with thevarious keys extending upward through openings in the webbed structure.A plurality of light pipes 132 extend from the illumination source 130and are also located beneath, alongside or embedded within the webbedstructure. The light pipes are arranged to deliver light from the lightsource to the various keys such that the keys can be illuminated. Asnoted above, illumination of keys can be accomplished by way of shininglight from the light pipes into the openings between the keys and thewebbed structure, and/or by directing light from the light pipes into orbeneath the keycaps so as to illuminate legends on the keys themselvesin a backlit type manner.

Light pipes 132 can be embedded within the webbed structure in speciallycreated grooves or cavities, for example, which grooves or cavities canhelp to direct the light as it is emitted from the light pipes. In someembodiments, light from the light pipes does not travel through or isnot emitted from the webbed structure material itself. This can beaccomplished by way of the webbed structure being formed from a metallicmaterial and/or by painting or otherwise applying a finish or coating tothe webbed structure.

As shown, light pipes 132 can be arranged to run right alongside thebottom of each row of keys. This arrangement can advantageously resultin light being emitted from the light pipes such that the keys areilluminated, and that light shining into or near the eyes of the user isminimized or eliminated. In fact, FIG. 4 depicts light being emittedonto each of the various keys and away from where the user wouldtypically be located with respect to the keyboard. Such a directionalaspect to the keyboard illumination can be accomplished by way of thegeometry in the way the light pipes are embedded in the webbedstructure, by way of various features in the light pipes, or acombination thereof.

In some embodiments, the light pipes can be comprised of a fiber opticmaterial, polycarbonate, acrylic, or any other material that is wellsuited for light pipe formation. Light pipes for use in such illuminatedkeyboard applications can have a diameter of about one millimeter,although larger or smaller diameter light pipes might also be used asmay be appropriate. In some embodiments, a single light or illuminationsource 130 can exist to either side, top or bottom of the key pattern,while in some embodiments a plurality of light sources can be used. Inone multi-light source embodiment, for example, six separate LEDs can beused, with a single light pipe extending laterally from each LED—thusresulting in one illumination source and one light pipe for each row ofkeys. In another exemplary embodiment, a plurality of light pipes canjoin in a manifold to the side of the pattern of keys, which manifoldhas light delivered into it by a single more powerful but lower costLED/PCB architecture.

Continuing with FIG. 5 the keyboard from FIG. 4 is illustrated in sidecross-sectional view along section A-A of FIG. 4. Again, although onlyfive rows of keys are shown, it will be appreciated that more or fewerrows can exist. As shown, the outer housing 102 of the device supportswebbed structure 112 and a plurality of keys 120. The keys 120 caninclude keycaps and various underlying actuating mechanisms andcomponents, details for which are well known by those skilled in the artand are not provided herein for purposes of simplicity. Gaps 114 existbetween each key 120 and the webbed structure 114, such that light canbe delivered by light pipes 132 to exit at such locations and illuminatethe keys thereby. Again, the webbed structure and light pipes can bedesigned such that light is directed to and escapes and designedlocations and directions, in order to maximize the illumination of thekeys with a minimal amount of light. For example, the geometry thegrooves in the webbed structure that embed the light pipes can haveopenings that direct the light upward and onto the keys and away fromthe user at specific locations.

In addition, various features in the light pipes can be employed todirect and manipulate the delivery and direction of the light. Typicallight pipes operate on total internal reflection (“TIR”) principles,such that light typically only escapes at distal ends or locations offeature or imperfections in the light pipes. Such features can include,for example, pyramids, bumps, grooves, scratches, surface roughness,paint and the like. Some of these items or features can be located onthe surfaces of the light pipes, while others can be internal. Variousfeatures can be used to divert light where desired, such as from aprimary light pipe into a secondary light pipe, for example. Suchfeatures can also be used to permit light to escape in a directed mannerat select locations, such as at the location of each key along the lightpipe. Further details of manipulating and delivering light by way offeatures in light pipes will be readily appreciated by those skilled inthe art, and all such features and techniques can be used with thesystems disclosed herein to aid in delivering light from a light sourceto the exact locations where illumination is desired.

Moving on to FIG. 6, an exemplary keycap according to one embodiment ofthe present invention is shown in side cross-sectional view. Keycap 120includes a legend 122 on a top surface thereof and a plastic or othersturdy material 124 that makes up the top surface and one or more keysidewalls. Material 124 can be translucent or transparent in nature, orcan be an opaque material. In the event, that material 124 is opaque, anoptional window region 126 a can exist just below the legend 122. A thinlayer of paint 128 or ink can be distributed across the outside surfacesof the key 120. Such a paint layer 128 can serve as a contrast to thelegend 122 when the legend is illuminated by way of backlighting.Further layers, such as adhesive, primer, or other secondary layers mayalso exist, as may be desired.

Continuing with FIG. 7A the exemplary keycap of FIG. 6 is shown in sidecross-sectional view as being installed into an illuminated keyboardaccording to one embodiment of the present invention. Keycap 120 ispositioned within an opening of an associated webbed structure 112,which webbed structure partially encloses a light pipe 132 runningtherethrough. As noted above, the manner in which the light pipe 132 isenclosed within the webbed structure can result in light escapingtherefrom in a particularly desired directed manner. Various scratches,grooves and/or other features on the light pipe 132 can result in lightescaping from and being directed upward along the sides and toward thetop of the key, as shown. In addition, light can also be allowed toescape from and be directed away from light pipe 132 such that ittravels beneath a side wall of the keycap and into a hollow inner regionof the key. This light is then able to travel up through the clearmaterial or window in the upper surface of the keycap to backlight thelegend on the top surface of the key.

As another example, FIG. 7B illustrates in side cross-sectional view analternative exemplary keycap installed into an illuminated keyboard. Inthis particular alternative embodiment, keycap 120′ can have a least abottom portion of one side wall formed from a transparent or translucentmaterial, such as that shown for optional window region 126 b. In someembodiments, the keycap material may be clear to begin with, such thatthe formation of a window region can be accomplished by leaving asuitable opening when the key surfaces are painted. As shown, light canbe directed from the light pipe 132, through the transparent ortranslucent bottom wall portion of the keycap 120′ into the hollow innerregion of the key. As in the above example, this light is then able totravel up through the clear material or window in the upper surface ofthe keycap to backlight the legend on the top surface of the key.

FIG. 8A illustrates in exploded side cross-sectional view a partial thinkeyboard having a built-in backlighting system according to oneembodiment of the present invention. Partial keyboard 200 includes anumber of layers, and is intended to provide an illuminated keyboardhaving full functionality in as thin a structure as possible. Thevarious layers of keyboard 200 can include a feature plate 240, whichcan provide support and also serve as a light reflector. This layer 240can have a thickness of about 0.20 mm. Atop layer 240 is a membranebottom flex layer 241, which can have a thickness of about 0.05 mm. Atoplayer 241 is a light guide panel layer 242, which can have a thicknessof about 0.40 mm. An ink layer 243 has a negligible thickness, afterwhich a mask and spacer layer 244 can have a thickness of about 0.05 mm.Another ink layer 245 has a negligible thickness, after which a membranetop flex layer 246 can have a thickness of about 0.075 mm. Finally, arubber dome sheet layer 247 can have a thickness of about 0.05 mm. Inall, the total thickness of keyboard stack 200 can be about 0.675 mm.

The light guide panel layer can be arranged to provide light throughoutthe keyboard, and the feature plate can be arranged to reflect theprovided light upward to maximize its effect. Each of the membrane flexlayers can include various electrical traces, such as top trace 250 onlayer 246 and bottom trace 251 on layer 242. The mask and spacer layer244 can have various openings 249 therethrough that allow such top andbottom traces to contact each other when the top of the keyboard isdepressed by a user. Such a contact then results in a signal that isprocessed and provided as an input to an associated computing device, aswill be appreciated.

FIG. 8B illustrates in side cross-sectional view the partial thinkeyboard of FIG. 8A as assembled with keycaps installed thereonaccording to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown, variouskeycaps 220 can be situated atop the assembled keyboard stack 200 ofFIG. 8A, so as to help the user and facilitate the depressing of thekeyboard at the appropriate locations above an electrical trace pair.The exact design, nature and appearance of such keycaps 220 can varywidely, and such keycaps can be overlaid, glued, otherwise fastened, orintegrally formed with the keyboard 200, as will be readily appreciated.

Turning lastly to FIG. 9, a flowchart of an exemplary method ofilluminating a keyboard is provided. It will be readily appreciated thatthe various steps set forth can be implemented as desired, and that somesteps may be removed, while others not shown may be added. Furthermore,the order of the various steps may be changed as may be appropriate fora given application, as will be readily appreciated. For example, steps304 and 302 can be reversed or conducted in parallel, as will be readilyappreciated.

After a start step 300, a light source can be arranged alongside apattern of keys at process step 302. One or more light pipes can beextended from the light source at process step 304. At subsequent step306, light can then be delivered from the light source and through thelight pipes. The delivered light can then be forwarded into the hollowedkey regions at process step 308, where the key legends are backlit withthe light at process step 310. In addition, the keys can also beilluminated from a side or surrounding manner through the gaps betweenkeys at process step 312. The method then ends at end step 314.

Although the foregoing invention has been described in detail by way ofillustration and example for purposes of clarity and understanding, itwill be recognized that the above described invention may be embodied innumerous other specific variations and embodiments without departingfrom the spirit or essential characteristics of the invention. Certainchanges and modifications may be practiced, and it is understood thatthe invention is not to be limited by the foregoing details, but ratheris to be defined by the scope of the appended claims.

1. A keyboard, comprising: a plurality of keys arranged in a patterncontained within a plane, wherein each of said plurality of keysincludes a keycap and an actuating component; a webbed structuresurrounding said keys and defining openings for each of said pluralityof keys; an illumination source located along at least one side of andwithin the same plane as said pattern of keys; and one or more lightpipes positioned along said webbed structure and arranged to deliverlight from said illumination source to said plurality of keys, whereineach of said plurality of keys is illuminated thereby.
 2. The keyboardof claim 1, wherein said webbed structure is formed from metal.
 3. Thekeyboard of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said one or morelight pipes is embedded within said webbed structure.
 4. The keyboard ofclaim 1, wherein said one or more light pipes include a plurality offeatures that function to direct light within said keyboard.
 5. Thekeyboard of claim 4, wherein said plurality of features are selectedfrom the group consisting of pyramids, bumps, surface roughness andpaint.
 6. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein at least one of said keycapsincludes a legend thereon, wherein said legend is adapted to be backlitby light delivered from said one or more light pipes.
 7. The keyboard ofclaim 6, wherein said at least one keycap includes a top surface and oneor more side walls extending downward therefrom to define a hollow innerregion beneath the keycap, wherein said top surface and one or more sidewalls are substantially opaque with the exception of said legend, andwherein at least one of said light pipes backlights said legend bydelivering light to shine therethrough.
 8. The keyboard of claim 7,wherein light to backlight said legend is delivered beneath one of theside walls into the hollow inner region.
 9. The keyboard of claim 7,wherein at least a bottom portion of one sidewall is transparent ortranslucent, and wherein light to backlight said legend is deliveredthrough said transparent or translucent portion into the hollow innerregion.
 10. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein the openings in said webbedstructure are larger than the respective keys such that gaps existbetween the webbed structure and the plurality of keys, and whereinlight from said one or more light pipes is delivered upward through saidgaps to illuminate the keys.
 11. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein saidone or more light pipes includes a plurality of primary light pipessituated between rows of keys and running lengthwise along the keyboardand a plurality of secondary light pipes branching off from one or moreof said plurality of primary light pipes and running up and down betweenadjacent keys.
 12. The keyboard of claim 1, wherein said webbedstructure is formed from a light transmitting material, and wherein saidone or more light pipes are integrally formed within said lighttransmitting material.
 13. The keyboard of claim 12, further including:an opaque layer situated atop said webbed structure, said opaque layerbeing adapted to control the delivery of light to illuminate saidkeyboard.
 14. A computing device, comprising: an outer housing; aprocessor disposed within said outer housing; a display coupled to saidprocessor and adapted to provide a display output from the processor toa user; and a keyboard assembly coupled to said processor and adapted todeliver an input from the user to the processor, said keyboard assemblyincluding a plurality of keys arranged in a pattern contained within aplane, wherein each of said plurality of keys includes a keycap and anactuating component; a webbed structure surrounding said keys anddefining openings for each of said plurality of keys; an illuminationsource located along at least one side of and within the same plane assaid pattern of keys; and one or more light pipes positioned along saidwebbed structure and arranged to deliver light from said illuminationsource to said plurality of keys, wherein each of said plurality of keysis illuminated thereby.
 15. The computing device of claim 14, whereinsaid computing device is a laptop computer.
 16. The computing device ofclaim 14, wherein at least a portion of said one or more light pipes isembedded within said webbed structure.
 17. The computing device of claim14, wherein at least one of said keycaps includes a legend thereon,wherein said legend is adapted to be backlit by light delivered fromsaid one or more light pipes.
 18. The computing device of claim 17,wherein said at least one keycap includes a top surface and one or moreside walls extending downward therefrom to define a hollow inner regionbeneath the keycap, wherein said top surface and one or more side wallsare substantially opaque with the exception of said legend, and whereinat least one of said light pipes backlights said legend by deliveringlight to shine therethrough.
 19. The computing device of claim 18,wherein at least a bottom portion of one sidewall is transparent ortranslucent, and wherein light to backlight said legend is deliveredthrough said transparent or translucent portion into the hollow innerregion.
 20. The computing device of claim 14, wherein said webbedstructure is formed from a light transmitting material, and wherein saidone or more light pipes are integrally formed within said lighttransmitting material.
 21. A method of illuminating keys on a keyboard,comprising: arranging a light source along one or more sides of andwithin the same plane as a plurality of keys arranged in a pattern,wherein each of said plurality of keys includes a keycap and anactuating component; extending one or more light pipes from said lightsource and between at least some of said plurality of keys, wherein saidone or more light pipes do not run beneath any of said plurality ofkeys; delivering light from said light source through said one or morelight pipes to said plurality of keys; and illuminating said pluralityof keys with the delivered light.
 22. The method of claim 21, wherein atleast one of said keycaps includes a legend thereon, a top surface andone or more side walls extending downward therefrom to define a hollowinner region beneath the keycap, wherein said top surface and one ormore side walls are substantially opaque with the exception of saidlegend, and wherein said illuminating step includes shining thedelivered light through said legend in a backlighting manner.
 23. Themethod of claim 22, further including the step of: forwarding at least aportion of said delivered light beneath one of the side walls into thehollow inner region.
 24. The method of claim 22, wherein at least abottom portion of one sidewall is transparent or translucent, andfurther including the step of: forwarding at least a portion of saiddelivered light through said transparent or translucent portion into thehollow inner region.
 25. The method of claim 21, wherein said lightpipes are embedded within a webbed structure that surrounds said keysand defines openings for each of said plurality of keys.
 26. The methodof claim 25, wherein the openings in said webbed structure are largerthan the respective keys such that gaps exist between the webbedstructure and the plurality of keys, and wherein said illuminating stepincludes shining light upward through said gaps to illuminate the keys.